Dose–response relationships between physical activity, walking and health-related quality of life in mid-age and older women

Abstract Background The interplay between gender, Physical Activity (PA) and Dual Task (DT) gait in older adults is unclear. This study aimed to address DT gait based on gender and PA level in older adults. Methods Gait measures were collected using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) during the 10-meter and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests in single and DT conditions. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to measure PA. A total of 120 community-dwelling older adults (81 women and 39 men) took part. Participants were divided according to gender and PA level into four groups (women achieving (WA = 31), women not achieving (WN = 50), men Achieving (MA = 29) and men not achieving (MN = 10)). The achievement of PA was determined by total Metabolic Equivalent (MET) – Minute/week ≥ 600. Cognition, health-related quality of life, falls history and health status was measured. Results Women had poorer performance in time, gait velocity and stride length regardless of PA level. The cognitive condition had the greatest effect on gait parameters in all groups, except for stride length which decreased more under the motor condition. Women who did not achieve the PA guidelines had poorer perceived health-related quality of life than men who achieved and did not achieve the guidelines. Conclusions The findings suggest that women, regardless of PA level, experience greater deterioration under ST and DT conditions in 10-meter walk and TUG tests in terms of time and gait measures such as velocity and stride length. This interplay cannot be explained by PA alone since it could be reflective of poorer perceived health and frailty in older women. These findings are considered of importance when planning DT and PA interventions that aim to increase PA levels and promote function in older women.

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Home confinement during COVID-19 pandemic reduced physical activity but not health-related quality of life in previously active older women

10.1101/2020.12.21.20248662 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vanessa Teixeira do Amaral ◽

Isabela Roque Marçal ◽

Thiago da Cruz Silva ◽

Fernanda Bianchi Souza ◽

Yacco Volpato Munhoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Older Women ◽

Educational Program ◽

Educational Programs ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

ABSTRACTBackgroundTo investigate the effect of COVID-19 home confinement on levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in older women previously participating in exercise and educational programs.Methods64 older women (age = 72±5 ys) who participated in a physical exercise/educational program and adhered to government home confinement recommendations have their levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior and HRQL assessed before and during (11 to 13 weeks after introduction of government recommendations to reduce virus transmission) COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsThere were significant reductions in total physical activity (−259 METs/week, P = 0.02), as a result of a ∼17.0 % reduction in walking (−30.8 min/week, P = 0.004) and ∼41.8 % reduction in vigorous-intensity activity (−29.6 min/week, P < 0.001). Sedentary behavior also increased (2.24 h/week, P < 0.001; 1.07 h/week days, P < 0.001; and 1.54 h/weekend days, P < 0.001). However, no significant change occurred in moderate-intensity physical activity, and HRQL domains and facets, except for an improvement in environment domain.ConclusionHome confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic decreased levels of physical activity and increased levels of sedentary behavior in previously active older women who participated in an educational program. However, there were no significant changes in HRQL. These results suggest that educational programs promoting healthy behaviors may attenuate the impact of home confinement in older women.

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